Decent powder measures
- Thread starter Axis II
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AJC1
Member
We just had this slugfest in the universal doesn't meter thread. I'm going to say for the price of a good measure you can have a chargemaster lite. Then you can explore all powders and not care which meters the best.
nettlle
Contributing Member
I have an old Lyman, Redding BR-30, a Harrell's Shuetzen (pistol) and Harrell's Premium (rifle). The Lyman is not very good. The Redding BR-30 is a good measure. The Harrell's are the best. When I select a powder for reloading one of the requirements that it has to meter well. For me that's ball or flake powder. Stick or extruded powders like 4198 or 3031 don't meter well with mechanical dispensers.
A CH502 currently manufactured is the closest to perfection you can get at moment.
It drops ball powder and stick powder perfect.
I spent TOO much money buying measures to try when this was the answer.
I have Rcbs, lyman, bm, lee, Dillon powder measures and can't recommend the CH enough.
It drops ball powder and stick powder perfect.
I spent TOO much money buying measures to try when this was the answer.
I have Rcbs, lyman, bm, lee, Dillon powder measures and can't recommend the CH enough.
nettlle
Contributing Member
When cycling stick or extruded powder with a mechanical measure the measure has to "shear" some of the sticks. No mater the measure maker. This "shearing" causes the measure to shake. Depending on the number of sticks being "sheared" at each particular stroke makes the vibration vary. And also varies the powder charge. In my experience if you are not using a powder that does not meter well don't expect your measure to meter well.
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BrotherMaynard
Member
+1 on the C-H 502. I really like mine. I also have a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and had to fiddle with the tension on the drum to get it running reasonably smoothly and not leak. Depending upon the age, the little rubber wiper inside the drum might have given up the ghost.
That was a great price on the Hornady (assuming at Midway) and I almost got one as a companion to the one on my LNL AP.
Then I paused and decided to save some more for the one from the Mark 7 Alpha.
But to answer your question directly, the Hornady really is a nice measure...it is what the Mark 7 powder measure is based on
lordpaxman
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I used the Hornady measure on the LNL and it performed very well. Yes, there were some powders that wouldn’t meter consistently like Clays, but it did really well on a wide range of ball flake and stick powders. The metering inserts were inexpensive and allowed you to dial in a specific drop very easily. The micrometer insert was another way to dial in drops and return to them in the future. It has both pistol and rifle rotors depending on your application.
Remington1911
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I got tired of fighting and fiddling with different things, finally I just did this and have not looked back. Good little machine, never an issue and I double check it from time to time.
Downside it is a bit slow, but that does not bother me one bit, reloading is my unwind time.
I have been using the RCBS Uniflow with a micrometer stem and baffle. Perfect drops with any of the powders I use including stick. I check before use and sometimes during use and she is good. I had the Pact electronic dispenser and scale in use for awhile but it is painfully slow. I would imagine the chargemaster is slow. +/- .1 gr on a drop every now is not going to change things. Now if I were shooting BR exact accuracy would be a whole different game.
EricBu
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What do you want to do? I've found that for precision loading with rifle and large capacity cases, a Chargemaster is the way to go. If you have no future plans to move up to a progressive press, I don't see any point in buying a stand alone powder measure these days at all honestly, charge master will do the job just fine. If you're thinking about going progressive, then pull that trigger now and buy a Dillon and be done with it.
CQB45ACP
Member
Yes oh wise one. I believe I read this on a stone tablet I saw in the catacombs beneath Rome
Edit: are there catacombs beneath Rome?
The Hornady drop will hold +/- .05 with ball powder and +/- .07 with short cut extrudeds. I do not run long cut extruded powders in my rotary drops. Granted, I do polish and wax mine, which helps a bit, but even in stock form they work fine.
A rotary volumetric measure is a rotary volumetric when you start looking at versions made from something other than pot metal and plastic. You can spend alot of money on a Harrell, but its only maybe going to be a fraction more accurate, but it is a nicer tool to work with. Thats why I say buy the RCBS or Hornady drop, whichever is cheaper.
A rotary volumetric measure is a rotary volumetric when you start looking at versions made from something other than pot metal and plastic. You can spend alot of money on a Harrell, but its only maybe going to be a fraction more accurate, but it is a nicer tool to work with. Thats why I say buy the RCBS or Hornady drop, whichever is cheaper.
CQB45ACP
Member
If I had excess room on my bench (it’s multi purpose, not just reloading) I’d love to have one of those automagical electronic things. But since I only load 9mm & 45ACP I can actually load as quickly (often more quickly) with perfect accuracy, yet leisurely using a .5cc or .7cc Lee dipper & digital scale. (Yes I can, bet me).
If I was a high volume shooter and wanted to increase the numbers, I could go back to using my Uniflow, but then I’d lose the accuracy of dippers/scale.
Having said all that, I still think an RCBS lite is cool.
Kp321
Member
I have been using an RCBS Uniflow for 40+ years. I cut up an old credit card to make a baffle and have been very pleased with it. I use the Dillon measure for pistol but switch to the Uniflow for rifle.
The OP said he was looking for a "decent" powder measure. Not some top of the line.
The measure on my LnL AP press is dead on accurate.
As mention it depends on what the OP wants to do or accomplish and price.
The Hornady is more than decent, so is the RCBS quick change. Actually the Lee PPM is very accurate (tested it years ago) not the most robust but it works.
So for less than $100 get the Hornady or RCBS, no, I do not think you need the micro adjustment.
You may want a stand rather than hanging it off the edge of the bench with the little metal plate
https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=powder measure stand
The measure on my LnL AP press is dead on accurate.
As mention it depends on what the OP wants to do or accomplish and price.
The Hornady is more than decent, so is the RCBS quick change. Actually the Lee PPM is very accurate (tested it years ago) not the most robust but it works.
So for less than $100 get the Hornady or RCBS, no, I do not think you need the micro adjustment.
You may want a stand rather than hanging it off the edge of the bench with the little metal plate
https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=powder measure stand
AJC1
Member
I justify my need based on all the testing I do. If I just loaded and shot the 8.4 grains of Silhouette that works good I would have no reason to own a chargemaster. In light of the dozens of powders and calibers I play with I feel confident i made the right choice. It may even be the reason I test as I don't imagine hand weighing all the tests I do.
CQB45ACP
Member
Okay…let’s work with that…I’ll reword so my wife will buy it. (Figuratively & literally)
I use a couple RCBS Uniflow III's and have been very happy with them. Consistent with ball, short cut stick, or flake powders, well made, smooth. Will cut longer stick powders(IMR 4064, Varget, etc), and honestly not bad with them either. I have one set up for 9mm, .223, and one on a moveable stand that I use for oddball stuff.
AJC1
Member
Just don't try and keep it on the kitchen counter like I do... when I shared a space I put it on top of the cabinets.
That is a very good price for the RCBS powder measure stand...it's very stylish...I just wish it came with the ability to accept the Hornady bushings
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